Din tapped his fingers on the table. "You must remain in this marriage until I am ready to release you."
Jessie smirked, perplexed.
"I understand you're short on cash, and I'm willing to compensate you for your efforts."
"For the money, you want me to pretend to be married to you? What else would you possibly want from me? Sex?"
"No. I swear I won't touch you until you give me your permission."
"Oh my God!" Jessie screamed angrily.
"Please take a deep breath and relax. I can also assist you with your professional endeavours. I know you've been having trouble landing a big job since you passed up the opportunity to go to Paris. I'm also aware that you haven't been able to find work since you missed your chance and flew to Vegas during your breakup, so let's lend a hand to each other." Din made an offer.
"Did you run a background check on me?" Jessie inquired.
He demonstrated, pinching his fingers together. "Just a teeny-tiny check-up." He was being truthful, which made Jessie sigh. She despised the fact that he was so forthright about it. No! She was not going to fall for it. He was about to entice her into another marital trap.
"No," Jessie stated emphatically. Clearly and boldly.
He inquired, "Are you sure? All you have to do is pretend to be a happy couple in front of my grandfather, and I'll give you twice as much."
"No," she said as she stood up and carried her bag. "I'm looking for a divorce. Mr. Cooper, there are billions of girls out there who would be honoured to do all of this with you and would also be willing to remain, but I'm out." She pushed herself out of the chair and proceeded toward the door. She fixed her gaze on him. "I'm going to court if you don't consent to the divorce." She said after opening the door and walking out.
***
(FLASHBACK)
"Here you go, Sweetie." Jessie Walker handed her fiance, Mark, his early morning cup of smoothies. Mark sipped the smoothie through the straw.
As he stared at the watch, he returned the cup to Jessie.
"Okay, so I made reservations tonight at the Marcellus restaurant at 8:30. I thought maybe we should__Do you know? Setting a date?"
"Alright, I will see you later." He headed towards the door and opened it.
"Hey, hey, hey. Love you." She sat with her hand on his shoulder as she pouted her lips. Looking forward to being kissed.
"Love you too." Mark placed a kiss on her forehead instead and headed through the door to work.
Having returned to the kitchen table, Jessie sighed. Her attention was caught by the five-carat diamond ring on her finger. It brought a smile to her face. In just a few short months, she will marry the man of her dreams.
"Jessie!" Taylor's booming voice reached out to her from across the living room. With a sigh, Jessie opened her eyes and glanced at her friend who stood in front of the kitchen door. "The door wasn't locked."
Jessie stood up to hug her friend. "I was sure I locked it when Mark left the house. Or is the door broken?" she asked her friend as they both went to sit on the stool.
"This is a very beautiful day. I brought something for you." Taylor dipped her hand into her big bag, which was shaped like a bucket. "All right. Here you go." She handed Jessie a bottle of champagne. Jessie inspected the bottle for a little while with her eyes. She hasn't seen that type of champagne before even though she was popular with them. Taylor noted Jessie's confusion. "That is my new sample. It is apple-flavored." Taylor cleared.
Jesse gasped. "This is beautiful Taylor. I didn't know you would brand a sample like this." She reached out for two glasses and opened the champagne bottle.
"It was only branded for you. I want you to try it out and tell me what you think. Is the packaging nice? Will they like it?" Taylor asked.
Jessie gave a soft smile. "They will like it." She poured the champagne into both glasses and handed one to her friend. "To happily married life." She reached for her friend's glasses.
"To succeed," Taylor said, and they both clogged each other's glasses.
Jessie had a taste of the champagne and couldn't believe it would have such a great taste.
All her life she has known Taylor and tasted Taylor's drink... This was the first time she'd say she enjoyed it and wanted more. "So tell me, did you decide to throw your dreams away for marriage?" Taylor asked when she dropped the glass on the table. She focused on her friend and waited for her to talk.
Jessie sucked her teeth and looked at her friend. "We decided to leave my dream and work towards everything. Together. We created a list of do's and don'ts. Mark and I agreed to do shows only on Friday nights when we are married, and tonight, we are going to set a date for the wedding. I'm so excited, babe. I have waited for this."
"I know. I am happy for you too, but do you think that date would be beneficial for you? Becoming a full-time wife? And working only on Fridays? What if you have a big gig that will bring loads of money in? Think about that? What would you do then? I would advise that you cross out the old list and create a new one for your benefit too. You can't trust men and put your dreams in their hands. He would only have full power over you when you do that."